Anyone carrying a small auto in the front pocket without a holster?

[federali]

Bad Idea

About once a month I relate how I dropped a Browning .25 Auto from my front pocket while changing a flat and had the falling gun not brushed my foot, I may have driven off without it. For those who have been there, it was in a break-down cutout of the Grand Central Parkway, about five minutes from LaGuardia Airport, Queens. NY.

I thanked my spirit guide and stopped pretending I was John Dillinger.
It's been about 50 years since I cured myself of irresponsible gun carry.

 

[Loyaljeeper]

For years I only carried a j frame in the pocket and with a holster. I came real close to experiencing a ND because of the holster so I switched to a centennial without a holster and never looked back. I will tell you, it will wear the pants more. I have broke my rule and carried a 686 in the pocket without a holster but is still think it is near impossible to have a ND though. I bought a sc p250 to possibly pocket carry but have never tried it. The only reason I am comfortable carrying a revolver without a holster is because the cylinder also had to turn. NEVER CARRY ANYTHING ELSE IN THE POCKET WITH THE GUN.

 

[JH1951]

I'm thinking of carrying a small 9mm pistol in my pants pocket without a holster. The pistol has a thumb safety.
This mode of carry worked well with my J frame, so I am considering carrying on that way. It makes it easier to draw than with the holster. Alot easier.

Your thoughts?
Thanks.

My thoughts...
I suggest a pocket holster. I have carried both ways, and from experience give you the suggestion. Most of the reasons stated above apply. My main reason was to keep the piece in a consistent position for ease of quick presentation. There is also the factors of less printing, general comfort, and some protection afforded to the firearm.
Try a Mika holster. They were designed by a LEO with function as a priority and work quite well without breaking the bank.
Pocket carry is not my every day choice. I often IWB with a 1911, but with the J-frame (Mod. 649) I have the option to pocket which I sometimes do (with a Mika holster).

 

[THEmodelof1989]

Plastic guns attract more lint than metal guns with or without a holster.

Where in tarnation did you hear this? I'd love to see the science behind this claim.

 

[Boxer9]

Nope. I won't carry an auto at all without a holster no matter the method of carry. Usually revolvers either.

 

[andyo5]

Robert Mika makes superior pocket holsters, quickly, for a reasonable price.

Collects, I am in touch with him by email. What is the holster lined with?
I intend to use with a Ruger LC9s and will possibly get one for a Sig P365.
I will use with jeans mostly. Would you recommend squared bottom or rounded bottom.

Thanks!

 

[1sg]

LCP sporting a Clipdraw works great! Pistol stays securely in place, little sagging, doesn't fall to the bottom of the pocket or wiggle around. Moreover, from a distance the exposed clip of the Clipdraw closely resembles the the clip of a standard pocket knife. I've never seen anyone give it more that a cursory glance.

 

[merl67]

I have carried a Ruger LCP in my back pocket every since they came out with the model however long thats been. I have worn out 3 Desantis holsters for it. I can not see any advantage to not having it in a holster, and a whole host of issues with it riding without one. Everyone has to make his or her own decisions on such matters though.

 

[SLCDW]

All the time. Along with an unsheathed 4 inch blade.

 

[grover99]

Strange things can happen from time to time when pocket carrying. I was carrying a derringer in my back pocket with no holster when one evening I took it out and found that somehow it had gotten cocked. From that point I never again carryed in my back pocket or without a pocket holster. A pocket holster may not have stopped the gun from cocking itself but at least the trigger would have ben covered.

 

[THEmodelof1989]

Strange things can happen from time to time when pocket carrying. I was carrying a derringer in my back pocket with no holster when one evening I took it out and found that somehow it had gotten cocked. From that point I never again carryed in my back pocket or without a pocket holster. A pocket holster may not have stopped the gun from cocking itself but at least the trigger would have ben covered.

As has already been said, your trigger was not uncovered if it was in your pocket, because your pocket covered the trigger.

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With all this ridiculously excessive concern about making sure the trigger is covered and recovered and then covered again, I'm surprised you gentlemen don't just forgo the firearm altogether and just carry russian nesting doll style holsters inside of holsters inside of holsters.

 

[jmcisc]

I use a pocket holster to protect my guns. Remora seems to work the best for me.

 

[cyphertext]

As has already been said, your trigger was not uncovered if it was in your pocket, because your pocket covered the trigger.

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With all this ridiculously excessive concern about making sure the trigger is covered and recovered and then covered again, I'm surprised you gentlemen don't just forgo the firearm altogether and just carry russian nesting doll style holsters inside of holsters inside of holsters.

While the material of a pocket physically covers the trigger, it does not do it in such a way that leather or kydex covers the trigger and will not allow it to be pulled. I can drop my pistol into my pocket and pull the trigger from outside the pocket. Also, if I were to accidentally put something else in the same pocket as the gun, the trigger is not protected without a holster.

 

[andyo5]

While the material of a pocket physically covers the trigger, it does not do it in such a way that leather or kydex covers the trigger and will not allow it to be pulled.

Yes. Plaxico Burris tried to trap his falling pistol between his leg and his trouser leg. Unfortunately, his finger landed on the trigger and it discharged.

 

[THEmodelof1989]

While the material of a pocket physically covers the trigger, it does not do it in such a way that leather or kydex covers the trigger and will not allow it to be pulled. I can drop my pistol into my pocket and pull the trigger from outside the pocket. Also, if I were to accidentally put something else in the same pocket as the gun, the trigger is not protected without a holster.

I'm not making a connection here. My pants fit me well enough that I can't manipulate the trigger from outside the pocket on pure accident. Even if I were to wear clown pants, I'm not making the connection on accidentally putting something else in my pocket, because I'm not irresponsible with firearms. The type of person that forgets they are carrying a firearm may not be responsible enough to carry a firearm to begin with, in their pocket or otherwise.

If one can fit a gun AND other stuff in one's pockets, one needs to consult one's wardrobe in a serious way. I still have this picture of a young man with his pants sagging so low that you can see his underwear.

 

[Gamecock]

It makes it easier to draw than with the holster. Alot easier.

Go with what works for you. I prefer a holster, but we are all different.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

I don't pocket carry anymore. When I did, it was my backup to my duty gun in a cargo pocket holster. My duty gun was a S&W Model 65-1 or 686-6. My backups were a S&W Model 37(ND), a Model 642-2 or a Model 12-2.

Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk

 

[grover99]

As has already been said, your trigger was not uncovered if it was in your pocket, because your pocket covered the trigger.

********************************************

With all this ridiculously excessive concern about making sure the trigger is covered and recovered and then covered again, I'm surprised you gentlemen don't just forgo the firearm altogether and just carry russian nesting doll style holsters inside of holsters inside of holsters.

If the hammer can be cocked in a pocket then so can the trigger be pulled Plus the fact that the derringer had no trigger guard making that a very dangerous condition.

 

[ladder13]

I have on occasion, recently, carried my 380 without. I also have a Don Hume holster if I feel the need.

 

[minconrevo]

I am not one to pocket carry without a pocket holster. I do not suggest floppy suede or light fabric; possible with them to get a hunk of material into the "bang switch". We know what may happen next. DeSantis makes a pocket holster out of thick non-leather material. Works great and is cost effective. Several holster make pocket holsters out of boned leather. Any of the mentioned allow one to carry a "safe action" pocket pistol with the thumb safety disengaged. That's the fastest alternative when you really need the use of that pistol NOW.

One rule I always abide by is to carry nothing but the pistol in it's holster in the pocket. No key, coin, extra mag. Any of these present a "bang switch" activation possibility.

BTW practice with the pistol in this mode of carry.